MOUNT ELIZA, VIC — Emil Madsen Reserve, one of the Mornington Peninsula’s busiest community sports facilities, was closed over the weekend after a contamination alert was issued for its water supply.
South East Water advised the public on Saturday to avoid using or consuming water at the reserve. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council responded by closing the grounds and warning visitors: “Do not drink or use the water in this area at this time.”
The reserve was still closed as of Monday, with investigations continuing into the cause and extent of the contamination. South East Water teams were on site shortly after the alert was issued.
Sporting Disruptions
The closure forced the cancellation or relocation of several weekend sporting events:
- Five soccer matches were scheduled for Saturday, with four more planned for Sunday, including a senior women’s match.
- Mount Eliza Junior Football Club had already moved several training sessions due to ground conditions prior to the water issue.
- The senior women’s AFL match went ahead Friday night as planned.
- Senior men’s teams played away matches on Saturday.
The closure has impacted hundreds of players, families, and volunteers across multiple sports codes.
Major Community Venue
Emil Madsen Reserve is a key regional facility servicing more than 1,800 players per week across football, netball and soccer. The site includes three football ovals, two soccer pitches, netball courts, pavilions and training infrastructure.
It is home to:
- Mount Eliza Football Netball Club
- Mount Eliza Junior Football Club
- Mount Eliza Soccer Club
The closure also affects visiting clubs and associations that rely on the grounds for regular competition.
Facility Upgrades Underway
A $15 million Stage 1 redevelopment of Emil Madsen Reserve is currently underway, funded by the federal government in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire.
The upgrade includes:
- New East Pavilion with change rooms and accessible amenities
- Cricket net relocation
- Improved services infrastructure including water, sewer and power
- Landscaping, lighting, pathways and parking upgrades
Construction is being delivered in stages and is expected to continue through 2026. The contamination incident is not currently linked to the upgrade works, but the site’s heavy use and ongoing construction may complicate remediation efforts.
Council and Water Authority Response
Mornington Peninsula Shire has issued limited public comment but confirmed the site’s closure was a precautionary measure. South East Water continues to investigate, with no timeline provided for safe reopening.
Residents are advised to avoid all contact with tap water, irrigation systems, and facilities at the reserve until further notice.
